Sturgeon is national coach of the year finalist
By:
Staff report
BVHS track and field coach Troy Sturgeon is one of eight finalists for the 2019 national girls’ track coach of year. Submitted photo
Brandon Valley High School head track and field coach Troy Sturgeon is one of eight finalists for 2019 National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year in the sport of girls track and field.
Sturgeon, who has been at the helm of BVs track and field program 11 years, was nominated by his fellow coaches in the South Dakota High School Coaches Association based on his longevity in the sport, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years and winning percentage. Coaching experts use a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each of those categories to evaluate the finalists and determine the winner.
“It’s really kind of a cool deal, and really humbling to get that from your peers and be honored on the national stage,” Sturgeon said.
Sturgeon guided the Lady Lynx to their first Class AA state title in 2018 after second-place finishes in 2017, 2016 and 2015. Following their state title win, the BV Intermediate School teacher was named the East Area Class AA track and field head girls’ Coach of the Year by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association.
The Lady Lynx finished fourth at the 2019 state track meet last month, with just 10 points separating the top four teams.
Sturgeon and his fellow finalists will be honored at an awards banquet June 26 during the NHSACA’s national conference in Bismarck, N.D., culminating with the announcement of the 2019 winner.
Sturgeon was also named Head Girls Track Coach of the Year for the AA East Area division last week through the South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
Two of his assistant coaches also garnered post-season accolades. Hurdling coach Justin Mashlan was named Assistant Boys Coach of the Year, and sprint coach Chad Garrow was named Assistant Girls Coach of the Year.
They’ll collect their awards at a ceremony in Mitchell in late July.
